Part 20 (1/2)

”Listen, Voitushko; run to Vyrambki and tell Pan Tachevski that the young lady sends this cap, and bows very much to him. Here is a coin for thee, and repeat what thou art to tell him.”

”The young lady sends the cap and bows to him.”

”Not that she bows, but that she bows very much to him--dost understand?”

”I understand.”

”Then stir! And take an overcoat, for the frost bites in the night-time. Let the dogs go with thee, too--that she bows very much, remember. And come back at once--unless Pan Tachevski gives an answer.”

Having finished that affair she withdrew to the kitchen to busy herself at the supper which was then almost ready since they had been expecting guests with Pan Gideon. Then, after she had dressed and arranged her hair, she entered the dining-hall.

Pan Sarafin greeted her kindly, for her beauty and youth had pleased his heart greatly at Yedlinka. Since he had been put quite at rest touching Stanislav, when they were seated at the table he began to speak with her joyously, endeavoring, even with jests, to scatter that shade of seriousness which he saw on her forehead, and the cause of which he attributed specially to the duel.

But for her the supper was not to end without incident, since immediately after the second course Voitushko stood at the door of the dining-hall and cried out, as he blew his chilled fingers,--

”I beg the young lady's attention. I left the cap, but Pan Tachevski is not in Vyrambki, for he drove away with Father Voynovski.”

Pan Gideon on hearing these words was astonished; he frowned, and fixed his iron eyes on the serving-lad.

”What is this?” asked he. ”What cap? Who sent thee to Vyrambki?”

”The young lady,” answered the lad with timidity.

”I sent him,” said Panna Anulka.

And seeing that all eyes were turned on her she was dreadfully embarra.s.sed, but the elusive wit of a woman soon came to her a.s.sistance.

”Pan Yatsek attended the wounded men hither,” said she; ”but since auntie and I received him with harshness he was angry and flew away home without his cap, so I sent the cap after him.”

”Indeed, we did not receive him very charmingly,” added Pani Vinnitski.

Pan Gideon drew breath and his face took on a less dreadful expression.

”Ye did well,” remarked he. ”I myself would have sent the cap, for of course he has not a second one.”

But the honest and clever Pan Serafin took the part of Yatsek.

”My son,” said he, ”has no feeling against him. He and the other gentlemen forced Pan Tachevski to the duel; when it was over he took them to his house, dressed their wounds, and entertained them. The Bukoyemskis say the same, adding that he is an artist at the sabre, who, had he had the wish, might have cut them up in grand fas.h.i.+on. Ha!

they wanted to teach him a lesson, and themselves found a teacher. If it is true that His Grace the King is moving against the Turks, such a man as Tachevski will be useful.”

Pan Gideon was not glad to hear these words, and added: ”Father Voynovski taught him those sword tricks.”

”I have seen Father Voynovski only once, at a festival,” said Pan Serafin, ”but I heard much of him in my days of campaigning. At the festival other priests laughed at him; they said that his house was like the ark, that he cares for all beasts just as Noah did. I know, however, that his sabre was renowned, and that his virtue is famous. If Pan Tachevski has learned sword-practice from him, I should wish my son, when he recovers, not to seek friends.h.i.+p elsewhere.”

”They say that the Diet will strive at once to strengthen the army,”

said Pan Gideon, wis.h.i.+ng to change the conversation.

”True, all will work at that,” said Pan Grothus.